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Ports Authority focuses on finding new CEO

Published: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 1:50 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 1:50 p.m.

Facing recent turnover at the top, the N.C. State Ports Authority is in high-gear search for a full-time chief executive to lead growth and establish vision and stability for one of the state's most prominent economic engines.

"We've narrowed it down to five or six candidates," said authority Chairman Danny McComas. "It doesn't mean it will be one of those. It just means that we're interviewing. Interviews may start next week."

Long-time ports employee Jeff Miles has been serving as the interim director since February 2013. Asked if he was one of the candidates, McComas said, "I hope so."

Miles has received high marks among board members for righting the ship and providing stability at a time of unrest among top leadership and between the State Ports Authority Board and the N.C. Department of Transportation. DOT took over operations of the port from the Department of Commerce in 2011 and assumed a larger responsibility, such as taking on the authority to hire and fire the chief executive.

Despite this drama in the background, Miles also oversaw one of the port's best years in recent history during the 2012-13 fiscal year.

"It is certainly important to have a CEO although Jeff Miles is doing a good job," said board member Michael Lee. "But it's important to have a CEO that's not an interim. It's important for business development as well as the stabilization of ongoing operations."

That could be Miles if he applies and is chosen for an interview.

But others said fresh eyes could also be beneficial.

Robert Hosford, an international trade specialist with the N.C. Department of Agriculture, said that since Miles took over in February the growth seen from the agriculture sector at the ports is "very noticeable."

"We appreciate the transition management effort that's been ongoing and they've done a nice job," he said. "Additionally, the opportunity to have someone potentially come in from the outside with a fresh set of eyes and a fresh viewpoint could help make us maybe look into some other avenue or revenue streams that aren't being chased right now."

Steady full-time leadership at the top may also help stabilize the port, which has been the subject of controversy in recent months.

Before the transfer from Commerce to DOT, the ports board had long held the authority to hire and fire the ports' CEO. McComas said it's been settled by the attorney general that DOT will have final say on the CEO's hiring with the board's input.

But the changeover prompted a lawsuit by former CEO Tom Eager, which has since been settled, over his firing in January 2012.

In August 2012, Tom Bradshaw was named CEO. He resigned and Miles, who has a long history with the port, took over as interim director in early 2013.

Nick Tennyson, the DOT’s chief deputy secretary, said a nationwide search was conducted for the candidates that “yielded a strong pool.”

“We’re moving through the process as rapidly as we can,” he said. “The port is a major asset for North Carolina and will play an even more important role in the future.”

DOT Secretary Tony Tata added, “We want to take our ports to the next level. Expanding operations at the ports is a critical part of the governor’s effort to leverage infrastructure and create jobs.”

Officials say an announcement about the new CEO is expected within several weeks.

<p>Facing recent turnover at the top, the N.C. State Ports Authority is in high-gear search for a full-time chief executive to lead growth and establish vision and stability for one of the state's most prominent economic engines. </p><p>"We've narrowed it down to five or six candidates," said authority Chairman Danny McComas. "It doesn't mean it will be one of those. It just means that we're interviewing. Interviews may start next week." </p><p>Long-time ports employee Jeff Miles has been serving as the interim director since February 2013. Asked if he was one of the candidates, McComas said, "I hope so."</p><p>Miles has received high marks among board members for righting the ship and providing stability at a time of unrest among top leadership and between the State Ports Authority Board and the N.C. Department of Transportation. DOT took over operations of the port from the Department of Commerce in 2011 and assumed a larger responsibility, such as taking on the authority to hire and fire the chief executive.</p><p>Despite this drama in the background, Miles also oversaw one of the port's best years in recent history during the 2012-13 fiscal year. </p><p>"It is certainly important to have a CEO although Jeff Miles is doing a good job," said board member Michael Lee. "But it's important to have a CEO that's not an interim. It's important for business development as well as the stabilization of ongoing operations."</p><p>That could be Miles if he applies and is chosen for an interview.</p><p>But others said fresh eyes could also be beneficial. </p><p>Robert Hosford, an international trade specialist with the N.C. Department of Agriculture, said that since Miles took over in February the growth seen from the agriculture sector at the ports is "very noticeable." </p><p>"We appreciate the transition management effort that's been ongoing and they've done a nice job," he said. "Additionally, the opportunity to have someone potentially come in from the outside with a fresh set of eyes and a fresh viewpoint could help make us maybe look into some other avenue or revenue streams that aren't being chased right now."</p><p>Steady full-time leadership at the top may also help stabilize the port, which has been the subject of controversy in recent months. </p><p>Before the transfer from Commerce to DOT, the ports board had long held the authority to hire and fire the ports' CEO. McComas said it's been settled by the attorney general that DOT will have final say on the CEO's hiring with the board's input.</p><p>But the changeover prompted a lawsuit by former CEO Tom Eager, which has since been settled, over his firing in January 2012.</p><p>In August 2012, Tom Bradshaw was named CEO. He resigned and Miles, who has a long history with the port, took over as interim director in early 2013. </p><p>Nick Tennyson, the DOT's chief deputy secretary, said a nationwide search was conducted for the candidates that “yielded a strong pool.”</p><p>“We're moving through the process as rapidly as we can,” he said. “The port is a major asset for North Carolina and will play an even more important role in the future.”</p><p>DOT Secretary Tony Tata added, “We want to take our ports to the next level. Expanding operations at the ports is a critical part of the governor's effort to leverage infrastructure and create jobs.”</p><p>Officials say an announcement about the new CEO is expected within several weeks.</p><p>Staff writer Adam Wagner contributed to this story.</p><p>Metro desk: 343-2384</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNewsMolly</p>